Combined thermostat and automatic pilot control



Oct. 5, 1954 Filed July 3, 1951 c. M. VAUGHN 2,690,873

COMBINED THERMOSTAT AND AUTOMATIC PILOT CONTROL 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. CHA his: (7. l Auamv.

"fqrTOE/VEX Oct. 5, 1954 c. M. VAUGHN 2,690,873

COMBINED THERMOSTAT AND AUTOMATIC PILOT CONTROL Filed July 3, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 VINVENTOR. Ova/e45: /7. l AUGH Oct. 5, 1954 c. M. VAUGHN 2,690,873

COMBINED THERMOSTAT AND AUTOMATIC PILOT CONTROL Filed July 3, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet s Oct. 5, 1954 c. M. VAUGHN 2,690,873

COMBINED THERMOSTAT AND AUTOMATIC PILOT CONTROL Filed July 3, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN V EN TOR. CHARLES M. M406 Patented Oct. 5, 1954 COMBINED THERMOSTAT AND AUTOMATIC PILOT CONTROL Charles M. Vaughn, Los Angeles, Calif., assignm- ,Robertshaw-Fulton Controls p ny,

Greensburg, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Application July 3, 1951, Serial No. 235,038

6 Claims. 1

This invention relates generally to fuel control devices and more particularly to combination controls for gas appliances.

A primary object of this invention is to utilize movement of an electromagnet between positions for effecting a controlling operation.

It is a further object of this invention to effect 100% shut off of fuel to all burners of an appliance in response to movement of an electromagnet to a predetermined position.

Another object of this invention is to prevent flow of fuel to a main burner during the resetting of a thermoelectric shut off device.

Another object of this invention is to permit flow of fuel to a pilot burner while preventing flow of fuel toa main burner during the resetting of the thermoelectric shut off device.

Another object of this invention is to arrange the shut off cock, thermostatic valve and thermoelectric shut off device so that an operator is required to follow correct procedure in lighting the appliance.

To effect the aforementioned objects, a casing may be provided with a thermostatic valve and a shut off cock to control the flow of fuel therethrough, the operating member of the cock being also associated with the thermostatic valve to adjust the temperature at which the same will be operated. A thermomagnetic shut off device may be associated with the thermostatic-valve to maintain the valve in a closed position when apredetermined condition exists. The shut off device may comprise a. movable armature'mounted on the casing and biased to one position and a movable electromagnet biased to a released position relative to the armature and operatively engageable with the valve in the released position to maintain the valve in one of its controlling positions regardless of the operation of the thermally responsive parts thereof. Reset means, cooperable with the armature andwith the operating member of the cock, may be effective to reset the shut off device by moving the armature against both the above mentioned biases and into engagement with the electro-' magnet where it will be attracted by the electromagnet if the same is energized. Release of the reset means upon completion of the resetting operation will then permit the armature to return to its initial position under its bias with the electromagnet being carried along therewith.

o Other objects and advantages will appear from thefollowing specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a combination control device embodying .this invention;

Fig. .2 is a sectional view taken on the line IIII of Fig. 1 looking in the directionof the arrows;

Fig. 3 .is a sectional view taken on the line III--.III of Fig. 2 lookingin the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is afragmentary sectional view taken on the line IV-IV of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5- is afragmentary sectional view taken on the line V--V'of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. '6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line VIVI of .Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the control device structure is shown as comprising a casing I0 provided with an inlet 12 and an outlet I4 connected by a main fuelpassage IS. The outlet M is adapted to be connected to a main burner (notshown) of a fluid fuel burning appliance and the fiow of fluid fuel in the passage I6 is under :the control of a thermostatically controlled valve I8 which has associated therewith a shut off device 20 operable in response to a predetermined condition to position the thermostatic valve [8 for preventing flow of fuel through the passage 16.

Interposed in the passage [6 between the inlet l2 and the thermostatically controlled valve I8 is a main shut off cock 22 which is movable between positions for controlling the flow of fuel to the passage It. The main shut off cook 22 may also control the flow of fuel to a passage 23 formed-in the casing l0 and communicating with the passage l6 and with a filter chamber 2 3. A fuel filter 26 of any suitable form is disposed within the filter chamber 24 and the chamber 24 communicates with an auxiliary passageZB formed in the casing l0 and leading to .the inlet of the valve chamber of an auxiliary or pilot valve 30 which may control the flow of fuel to a pilot burner (not shown). The pilot valve 30 is operatively associated with the shut off device 20 as will more fully appear.

Thermostatically controlled valve The thermostatically controlled valve l8 may comprise a partition 32 traversing the passage l5 and having a port 34 formed therein. A valve seat 36 formed on the partition '32 around the port 34 is-cooperable with a "reciprocable valve member 38 to close-the port '34. The valve memher 38 is here shown as being of the disk type and mounted upon a hollow valve stem 40 which slidably extends through an axial hollow boss 42 carried by the casing I in axial alignment with the port 30. The port 30 in the partition 32 provides communication between the main fuel passage I6 and the outlet I4 and the valve member 38 is normally biased toward the seat 36 to close such communication by means to be more fully described.

The hollow valve stem 40 contains an override mechanism comprising a plunger 44 and biasing spring 46 which serves to urge a collar 08 on the plunger 40 into engagement with a bushing 50 closing the inner end of the hollow valve stem 00. The plunger 44 projects through the bushing 50 for operative engagement with a snap action mechanism I of well known form including a thrust element 52 which is disposed in a recess 54 formed in the casing I0 in axial alignment with the port 34. The snap action mechanism 5I imparts a snap action movement to the valve member 38 in a manner well known in the art.

Thermally responsive actuating means is provided for moving the valve member 38 between controlling positions and may include a thermal element of the rod-and-tube type with a tube 56 of expansible material secured to the casing I0 and a rod 58 of relatively nonexpansive material secured at one end (not shown) to the tube 56 and extending into the casing I0 to be free to move relative thereto. An elongated annular boss 59 encompassing the tube 56, is carried by the casing I0 and is suitably threaded for mounting on an appliance (not shown).

The free end of the rod 58 is in engagement with a lever 60 intermediate the ends thereof. One end 62 of the lever 60 operatively engages the thrust element 52 of the snap action mechanism 51 and the other end 64 of the lever 60 is engageable by an adjustable fulcrum element 66. Supported on and coaxial with the fulcrum element 66 is a pintle 68 which extends through an aperture I0 formed in the lever 60 to maintain the lever 60 aligned with the fulcrum element 66. The fulcrum element 66 is carried by a rotatable adjusting element I2 threaded into an aperture I4 formed in the casing I0 in axial alignment with the shut off cock 22.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that rotation of the adjusting element I2 relative to the casing I0 will effect axial movement thereof to adjust the fulcrum 66 through a range of positions and that the temperature at which the rod-and-tube element 56, 58 will cause actuation of the snap action mechanism 5| and valve member 38 will be determined by the position of the fulcrum element 66. Since temperature setting and actuating mechanisms for thermostatically controlled valves of the type herein disclosed are well known in the art, a detailed description of the operation thereof is deemed unnecessary.

Thermoelectric shut-o1) device As hereinbefore pointed out, the shut ofi device is provided for moving the valve member 38 to closed position in response to a predetermined condition, preferably extinguishment of the pilot burner flame, regardless of the thermal condition of the thermostat 56, 58. To this end, and as best shown in Figs. 3-6, a cylindrical recess 16 is formed in the casing I0 laterally of the thermostatic valve I8 and the shut off cook 22 with the axis thereof parallel to the axes of the thermostatic valve and shut off cock. One end of the recess I6 is closed by a threaded cap 18 having an axially disposed aperture formed therein. A bore 82 coaxial with the recess I6 extends through that part of the casing I0 which forms the bottom wall of the recess I6. Secured in the bottom of the recess I6 by any suitable means, here shown as set screws 84, is an annular bearing element 86 through which slidably extends an armature stem 88.

An armature 90 of suitable magnetic material is loosely mounted on one end of the armature stem 88 by a rivet 92 and a radially extending flange 94 is carried on the medial portion of the armature stem 88. The peripheral portion of the flange 94 is beveled at 96 for a purpose which will more fully appear. Acting between the bearing element 86 and a flange 98 mounted on the end of the armature stem opposite the end which carries the armature 90, is a coil spring I00 which serves to bias the armature stem downward as viewed in the drawings and urge the flange 94 into engagement with the bearing element 86.

slidably mounted in the recess I6 is a cupshaped magnet cover I02 which is biased toward the cap 18 by a coil spring I04 acting between the armature 90 and an annular plate I06 secured to the inner face of the magnet cover I02 by any suitable means. An electromagnet is mounted within the magnet cover I02 and may comprise a horseshoe frame I08 with the bight thereof abutting the closed end of the cover I02.

A cylindrical thrust element III] is mounted on the outside of the magnet cover I02 to extend through the aperture 80 in the cap I8 and has a reduced end portion II 2 which extends through suitable bores in the cover I02 and bight of the horseshoe frame I08, the end thereof being peened over to secure the thrust element IIO, cover I02 and horseshoe frame I08, together.

The usual electromagnet winding has one end secured to the casing I0 by a suitable clamp IM to provide a ground connection and the winding continues in the form of a pair of coils II6 respectively encompassing the legs of the horseshoe frame I08. The opposite end of the magnet winding is secured in a socket I I8 formed in the casing I0 and adapted for electrical connection to a source of electrical energy which source may comprise a thermocouple (not shown) having a hot junction adapted for exposure to a flame at the pilot burner.

The end of the magnet cover I02 opposite the end supporting the magnet frame I00 is secured to an annular bearing element I20 through which slidably extends that portion of the armature stem 88 between the armature 90 and the flange 94. The face I22 of the bearing element I28 adjacent the flange 94 is formed to be complementary with the adjacent face of the flange 94 and the bearing element I20 is so positioned relative to the horseshoe frame I08 that the flange 00 will be contiguous thereto when the armature 90 is in engagement with the pole faces of the magnet I08.

Means is provided for establishing an operative connection between the magnet I08 and the valve member 38 when the magnet is in its biased or uppermost position as shown in the drawings. This means, as best shown in Fig. 4, may take the form of a thrust element I24 slidably mounted in an apertured cap I26 threaded into an opening I28 formed in the casing I0 in axial alignment with the valve port 34. The thrust element I24 is secured to the central portion of a flexible sealing disk I30 and is movable into engagement with the valve member 38. The sealing disk I30 is secured at its periphery to the cap I26 by any suitable means to prevent leakage of fuel around the thrust element I24 and carries a spring retainer I32 on the underside thereof. Acting between the spring retainer I32 and the valve member 38 is a coil spring I34 which serves to bias the valve member 38 toward the valve seat 36 and to bias the thrust element I24 away from the valve member 38.

A lever I35, disposed outside the casing I0, is pivoted intermediate the ends thereof at I36 on a suitable housing I38 secured to the casing I0 by any suitable means (not shown). The ends of the lever I35 extend respectively over the thrust elements H0 and I24 to be engageable thereby for transmitting movements therebetween. The lever I35 is so proportioned that it will hold the thrust element I24 in engagement with the valve member 38 and the valve member 38 in turn in engagement with the valve seat 36 when the magnet cover I02 and its associated thrust element III! are in the biased position with the magnet cover I02 abutting the cap I8. As the spring I04 is considerably stronger than the valve spring I34, suflicient force is exerted thereby on the valve member 38 to hold the same in its closed position relative to the valve seat 36 whenever the pole faces of the magnet I06 are disengaged from the armature 90.

Resetting device In devices of this type wherein a thermocouple adapted to be heated by the pilot flame is utilized to generate the electrical energy, the energy so generated is insufficient to overcome the bias of the spring I04 but is sufficient to hold the armature 90 and magnet I06 in engagement after the usual resetting operation has been conducted. Consequently, manual resetting means is provided for moving the armature 90 into engagement with the magnet I06 and takes the form of a rocker arm I40 which, as best shown in Fig. 5, is pivoted at I42 on the casing I0 and has one end thereof engaging the free end of the armature stem 68. The other end of the rocker arm I40 abuts one end of a push rod I44 slidably mounted in a bore I46 formed in the casing I0 adjacent the shut ofi cook 22 and parallel to the axis thereof. The bore I46 extends completely through the casing I0 and the free end I48 of the push rod I44 projects beyond the casing I0 for engagement by operating means to be more fully described.

Pilot valve To obtain 100% shut off fuel to all burners, the auxiliary or pilot valve 30 is operatively associated with the electromagnetic shut ofi device so that the pilot valve is in open position only while the resetting means is in operation and while the magnet I08 is in engagement with the armature 96.

The pilot valve is best shown in Figs. 2 and 3 and may take the form of a pilot valve chamber I50 formed in the casing I0 laterally of the recess I6. The pilot valve chamber I50 communicates with the auxiliary passage 28 and with a pilot passage I52 formed in the casing II) for communication with an outlet I54 adapted for connection to the pilot burner (not shown). The rate of flow through the pilot passage I52 may be regulated in the usual manner by a conventional valve I56.

An annular valve seat member I56 is positioned in the valve chamber I50 in threaded engagement with the walls thereof to intercept flow of fluid therethrough and is provided with a centrally disposed port I60 having a circular cross section. Slidably carried in the valve port I60 is a non-circular valve stem I62 which carries a disk valve member I64 at one end. A spring I66 acting between the valve member I64 and a cap I68 threaded into the open end of the valve chamber I50 serves to bias the valve member I64 toward the valve seat I58.

When the valve member I64 is in its biased position and in engagement with the valve seat member I56, fluid flow through the valve chamber I50 is prevented. Conversely, when the valve member I64 is positioned away from the valve seat I58, fuel is permitted to flow from one side of the valve seat member I50 to the other side thereof through the valve port I60, passing between the surface of the non-circular valve stem I52 and the walls of the port I60.

Communication is established between the pilot passage I52 and the valve port I60 by an annular groove I10 formed in the valve seat member I58 to register with the pilot passage I52 and connected to the valve port I60 by a plurality of radially extending bores I12. Thus, fuel flowing through the valve port I60 passes through the bores I12, the groove I10, and the pilot passage I52 to the pilot burner (not shown) so that the flow of fuel to the pilot burner is controlled by the valve member I64.

The end of the valve chamber I50 opposite the end closed by the cap I68 registers with a bore I'M formed in the casing I6 and opening into the recess 16. Communication between the valve chamber I50 and the recess I6 is prevented by a flexible sealing disk I76 which carries an axially located rivet IT! and is clamped across the end of the valve chamber I50 by the annular valve seat member I58. Abutting one side of the rivet I" is the free end of the valve stem I62 and abutting the other side of the rivet IT! is one end of an operating member here shown as a pin I78 slidably carried in the bore I14. The axes of the bore I74 and the pin I78 are substantially normal to the axis of the armature stem 86 and the other end of the pin II8 extends into the recess I6 to alternatively contact the peripheries of the bearing element I20 or the flange 94 as will be more fully brought out in a discussion of the operation of the device.

M az'n shut-017 cock As best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the main shut off cook 22 is here shown as being of the plug type and comprising a tapered valve seat I60 formed in the casing III for receiving a plug valve member I82. The valve member I82 is provided with an arcuate groove I04 which extends around a substantial portion of the periphery of the valve member I82. The groove I64 is adapted to register only with the inlet I2 in one position of the valve member I62'to provide a closed or Off position, to register with the inlet I2 and the passage 23 in another position of the valve member I62 to provide a Pilot position andto register with the inlet I2, the passage 23 and the passage I6 in still another position of the valve member I82 to provide a full open or On position in a manner well known in the art.

Interposed between the valve member I82 and a cover plate I88 secured to the casing I is a spring I90 which serves to bias the valve member I82 against the valve seat I80 with suificient force to establish a fluid sealing but rotatable relation therebetween.

An axially extending bore I92 formed in the valve member I82 loosely receives the rotatable adjusting element I2 of the thermostat and a shaft I94, which is secured to the valve member I82 for rotation therewith, extends into engagement with the adjusting element I2. A slot I96 formed in the adjusting element I2 slidingly receives a rectangular extension I98 of the shaft I94 to provide a slidable torque transmitting connection between the shaft I94 and the adjusting element I2. Rotation of the valve member I82 and its associated shaft I94 will thus produce rotational and consequent axial movement of the adjusting element I2 without corresponding axial movement of the shaft I94. Thus, for each setting of the valve member I82 there will be a corresponding position for the adjusting element I2 to set th temperature at which the thermostat will actuate the valve member 88. It is to be noted that the groove I84 in the vavle member I82 is of suihcient length to insure the maintenance of communication between the inlet I2 and the passage I6 throughout a range of angular positions of the valve member I82.

To permit calibration of the temperature adjusting means, the end of the shaft I94 opposite the end which carries the rectangular extension I98 is provided with a flange 200 having arcuate slots (not shown) therein for receiving a pair of screws 202 which are threaded into the valve member I82. The screws 202 normally hold the flange 208 securely against a shoulder 204 provided by a counterbore 206 formed in the valve member I82 in axial alignment with the bore I92. To adjust the correlation between the shaft I94 and the valve member I 82, the screws 202 may be loosened, the shaft I94 displaced angularly relative to the valve member I82 and the screws 202 retightened.

To provide for rotation of the valve member I82 and shaft I94, an axially extending splined boss 298 is provided on the valve member I82 and an internally splined knob 2 I 0 is mounted thereon to be slidable axially thereof and rotatable therewith. The knob 2I0 is provided on the underside thereof with an annular groove 2I2 into which one end of a coil spring 2I4 extends. The other end of the spring 2I4 abuts the cover plate I88 so that the spring 2 I4 serves to bias the knob 2I8 away from the valve member I82 and into engagement with a flange 2I6 extending radially from a plug 2I8 threaded into the counterbore 206.

The knob 2I8 extends radially beyond the projecting end I48 of the push rod I44 of the resetting device and the end I48 extends into the annular groove 2I2 formed in the knob 210. The groove 2I2 is of sufiicient depth so that the knob 2I0 may normally be moved axially of the valve member I82 against the bias of the spring 2I4 without engaging the push rod I44. However, a land portion 220 is formed in the bottom of the groove 2I2 to be aligned and thus engageable with the end I48 of the push rod I44 when the valve member I 82 is in the aforementioned Pilot position. It will thus be apparent that when the valve member I82 is in the Pilot position, the knob 2 I 0 may be moved axially of the valve member I82 against the bias of the spring 2I4 to cause the land portion 220 to engage the end I48 of the push rod I44 and cause axial movement of the latter. Such axial movement of the push rod I44 will cause clockwise rotation of the rocker arm I40, as viewed in Fig. 5 of the drawings, and upward movement of the armature stem 88 against the biases of the spring I00 and the spring I04 to move the armature into engagement with the pole faces of the magnet I08.

Operation When no fuel is flowing to the main or pilot burners, the various parts of the control device are positioned as shown in the drawing. The magnet I08 is in its biased position with the thrust element IIO acting under the bias of the spring I04 and through the lever I35 to hold the thrust element I24 against the valve member 38 and maintain the valve member 38 in engagement with the valve seat 36. The armature stem 88 and its associated parts are held in their lowermost positions under the bias of the spring I00 and the pin I18 is in engagement with the beveled face 96 of the flange 94 to permit the pilot valve member I64 to engag the valve seat I58 under the bias of the spring I66.

To place the control device in operative condition, the knob 2 I0 is rotated to position the valve member I82 of the main shut 01f cock 22 in the Pilot position wherein the groove I84 establishes communication between the inlet I2 and the passage 23 and the land 220 is aligned with the push rod I44. In such position of the valve member I 82, fuel will flow from the inlet I2 through the groove I84 in the valve member I82, the passage 23, filter 26 in the filter chamber 24 and through the passage 28 to the pilot valve chamber I50.

The resetting operation is then conducted by applying manual pressure to the knob 2I0 to move the same against the bias of the spring 2 I4 causing the hereinbefore described axial movement of the push rod I44, clockwise rotation of the rocker arm I40 about its pivot I42, and upward movement of the armature stem 88 and its associated parts against the biases of the spring I00 and the spring I04. During this movement, the springs I00 and I04 are compressed, the armature 98 is moved into engagement with the pole faces of the magnet I08 and the pin H8 is forced to ride up the beveled surface 96 of the flange 94 as the bevel 96 acts effectively as a cam surface.

The pin I18 is thus moved laterally relative to the armature stem 88 to move the valve stem I82 of the pilot valve against the bias of the spring I66 to position the pilot valve member I64 in its open position away from the valve seat I58. Fuel will then flow through the valve port I60, bores I12, groove I I0, and pilot passage I52 to the pilot burner (not shown) where it may be ignited by a match or the like. The flame at the pilot burner may heat the hot junction of the thermocouple (not shown) to cause the same to develop sufficient current to energize the coils I I6 of the electromagnet. The knob 2I8 is then released and permitted to move into engagement with the flange 2 I 6 under the bias of the spring 2 I 4 and the bias of the spring I00 serves to retract the armature stem 88 and armature 90 to their initial positions. However, the magnet I08, magnet cover I02 and thrust element I ID are now carried along with the armature 90 and the coil spring I04 is retained in its compressed condition.

It is to be noted that during the resetting operation, the electromagnet remains in its uppermost position where it is effective to retain the 9 thermostatic valve closed. Thus no fuel flow through the passage I6 can take place during resetting It will be apparent that, after resetting, the thrust element Hi! can no longer exert a force on the lever I35 to hold the thrust element I24 in engagement with the valve member 38 so that the valve member 38 is freed for movement to open position relative to the valve seat 36. It will also be apparent that when the magnet cover I02 moves downward with the armature 90, the face I22 of the bearing element I20 will remain contiguous to the adjacent face of the flange 94. Thus, upon completion of the resetting operation, the periphery of the bearing element I 2 is positioned to engage the pin I18 to prevent the pin IIB from riding down the bevel surface 96 of the flange 94 under the bias of the spring I66 and the valve member I64 is maintained in its open position.

The knob vZIIII may now be rotated to move the valve member I82 of the main shut off cock 22 to a position wherein the groove I04 formed therein is in communication with the inlet I2, the passage 23 and the main fuel passage I6. Such rotation of the knob is also effective to rotate the adjusting element I2 of the thermostat to set a particular temperature at which the thermostat 56, 58 will actuate the valve member 38.

Upon a demand for heat, the rod 58 exerts a force on the lever 60 and the thrust element 52 of the snap action mechanism 5|. The snap action mechanism opens the valve member 38 against the bias of the valve spring 134 and flow of fuel from the inlet I2, through the main fuel passage I6, through the valve port 34 and through the outlet It takes place to permit operation of the main burner in the usual manner.

When the temperature sensed by the thermostat 56, 58 reaches that for which the adjustment has been set, closure of the valve member 38 occurs under bias of the spring I34 and is permitted due to reverse positioning of the snap action mechanism as is well known to those skilled in the art. During this normal reciprocation of the valve member 38 in controlling flow of fuel to the outlet M, the pole faces of the magnet I03 remain engaged with the armature 90.

In the event that the flame at the pilot burner is extinguished, thesupply of current to the elec tromagnet will be cut oil and, upon deenergization of the electromagnet, the magnet I08, magnet cover I02 and thrust element II!) will move away from the armature 90 under the bias of the spring Ice. The thrust element H0, engaging the lever I35, will rotate the same about its pivot I36 in a clockwise direction. Clockwise rotation of the lever I35 will force the thrust element I24 downward against the bias of the spring I34 and into engagement with the valve member 38 to move the same into engagement with the valve seat 36. As previously indicated, such movement of the valve member 53 into engagement with the seat 36 will occur regardless of whether the thermostat 56, 58 is operating to hold the valve member 38 in open position due to the provision of the override connection within the hollow valve stem 4, the bias of the override spring 55 being overcome upon release of the magnet 58 by the stronger bias exerted by the coil spring ltd. The hollow valve stem lt moves relatively to the plunger t l during compression of the override spring 26 without causing reverse op- 10 eration of the snap action mechanism 5| as in normal thermostatic operation.

Movement of the magnet I08 from attracted to released position will also cause the bearing element I20 carried by the magnet cover I02 to move relative to the pin I78 and carry the bearing element I20 out of engagement with the end of the pin I18. Since the pin I18 is no longer restrained by the bearing element I20, it is moved laterally relative to the armature stem 88 under the bias of the spring I66 to permit the pilot valve member I64 to move into engagement with the valve seat I58 thereby cutting off the .flow of fuel to the pilot burner. The various parts of the control device, with the exception of the main shut off cook 22, are now once again positioned as shown in the drawings and no fuel can flow to any of the burners.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the illustrated embodiment provides shut off of fuel to all burners upon failure of the pilot flame, prevents How of fuel to a main burner during the resetting operation, and utilizes movement of an electromagnet for effecting a controlling operation thus accomplishing the objects of the invention. It will also be apparent that many changes may be made in the details of construction and arrangement of parts to accomplish the purpose of this invention without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a control device for fluid fuel burners, the combination of a casing, valve means movable between positions for controlling the flow of fuel through said casing, thermally responsive actuating means, yieldable means operatively associated with said actuating means for moving said va ve means between said controlling positions, a movable armature mounted on said casing and biased to a first position, a movable electromagnet mounted on said casing for movement between attracted and released positions relative to said armature and biased to said released position, said electromagnet being adapted when energized to hold itself in said attracted position, an operative, connection between said electromagnet and said valve means for overcoming said yieldable means and holding said valve means in one of said controlling positions when said electromagnet is in said released position, reset means for moving said armature against both said biases and into engagement with said electromagnet, said armature being free to return to said first position upon completion of the resetting operation, auxiliary valve means movable between controlling positions and biased to one of said positions, and auxiliary valve actuating means cooperable with said armature for moving said auxiliary valve means to another of said controlling positions during the resetting operation.

2. A control device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said auxiliary valve actuating means is cooperable with said electromagnet for holding said auxiliary valve means in said other position while said electromagnet is in said attracted position.

3. In a control device for fluid fuel burners, the combination of a casing, valve means movable between positions for controlling the flow of fuel through said casing, thermally responsive actuating means, yieldable means operatively associated with said actuating means for mov- 11 ing said valve means between said controlling positions, a movable armature mounted on said casing and biased to a first position, a movable electromagnet mounted on said casing for movement between attracted and released positions relative to said armature and biased to said released position, said electromagnet being adapted when energized to hold itself in said attracted position, a lever device cooperable with said valve means and having an active position for overcoming said yieldable means and holding said valve means in one of said controlling positions, said electromagnet being operatively associated with said lever device for moving the same to said active position in said released position of said electromagnet and freeing the same for movement to an inactive position in said attracted position of said electromagnet, reset means for moving said armature against both said biases into engagement with said electromagnet and thereafter returning said armature to said first position, auxiliary valve means movable between controlling positions and biased to one of said positions, and auxiliary valve actuating means operatively associated with said armature for moving said auxiliary valve means to another of said controlling positions during the resetting operation.

4. A control device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said auxiliary valve actuating means comprises an operating member operatively associated with said auxiliary valve means, said operating member being arranged to be engaged by said armature during the resetting operation and by said electromagnet upon completion of the resetting operation for holding said auxiliary valve means in said other controlling positions while said electromagnet is in said attracted position.

5. In a control device for fluid fuel burners, the combination of a casing, valve means movable between positions for controlling the flow of fuel through said casing, thermally responsive actuating means, yieldable means operatively associated with said actuating means for moving said valve means between said controlling positions, a movable armature mounted on said casing and biased to a first position, a movable electromagnet mounted on said casing for movement between attracted and released positions relative to said armature and biased to said released position, said electromagnet being adapted when energized to hold itself in said attracted position, a lever device operatively associated with said valve means and having an active position for overcoming said yieldable means and holding said valve means in one of said controlling positions, said electromagnet being operatively associated with said lever device for moving the same to said active position in said released position of said electromagnet and freeing the same for movement to an inactive position in said attracted position of said electromagnet, reset means for moving said armature against both said biases into engagement with said electromagnet and thereafter returning said armature to said first position, second valve means movable between positions for controlling fuel flow through said casing, means movable for adjusting said thermally responsive means to respond to a selected temperature condition, manually operable means for moving said second valve means between said positions and substantially simultaneously actuating said adjusting means, and an operative connection between said manually operable means and said reset means for actuating said reset means upon manipulation of said manually operable means.

6. In a control device for fluid fuel burners, the combination of a casing, valve means movable between positions for controlling the flow of fuel through said casing, thermally responsive actuating means, yieldable means operatively associated with said actuating means for moving said valve means between said controlling positions, movable means for adjusting said thermally responsive means to respond to a selected temperature condition, electromagnet means having an element movable between first and second positions, an operative connection between said element and said valve means for overcoming said yieldable means and holding said valve means in one of said controlling positions in said first osition of said element, said element being inefiective in said second position thereof to control said valve means, reset means for moving said element to said second position, second valve means movable between positions for controlling fuel flow through said casing, a manually operable member for moving said second valve means between said controlling positions, an operative connection between said manually operable member and said electromagnet means for setting said element in said second position, and an operative connection between said manually operable member and said adjusting means for adjusting the latter to a selected temperature setting.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,290,108 Mantz July 14, 1942 2,305,941 Wantz Dec. 22, 1942 2,361,945 Jackson Nov. 7, 1944 2,447,668 Ray Aug. 24, 1948 2,455,542 Weber Dec. 7, 1948 2,477,078 Mueller July 26, 1949 2,513,705 Arden July 4, 1950 2,588,179 Thronberry Mar. 4, 1952 2,604,266 Jackson July 22, 1952 2,616,451 Hunter Nov. 4, 1952 

